Pets 101

Millions of Pets are Surrendered to Shelters Every Year – Know What to Expect

Shelter animals make great pets. Did you know that most of the reasons they are given up have NOTHING to do with the animal and EVERYTHING to do with the human?

Here are some of the most common reasons – excuses, really – why people give up their pets:

“I can no longer afford to keep my pet”

“I am moving and can’t take my pet with me”

“My new landlord won’t allow a pet”

“I have too many animals in my household”

“I no longer have time for my pet”

“My son/daughter/fill-in-the-blank has developed allergies to my pet”

“I am having a baby”

Spending time up front to learn what it takes to care for an animal for the rest of his/her life is a critical process in becoming a pet parent. If more people understood the entire commitment (time, money, etc.) necessary to bring an animal into the home, fewer animals would be returned to shelters.

To help prepare for a long and happy human/pet relationship, we’ve outlined a few things to consider before taking in future animal companions.

Gerbil/Hamster

Budget: Initial investment: $100; annual upkeep: $300.

Housing: Keep your small mammals in a cage outfitted with a wheel for exercise and other accessories for climbing and hiding. Make sure your pets don’t chew up plastic bowls or toys. Keep bedding deep enough for burrowing.

Cleanup: Clean cage once a week, and replace bedding.

Diet: Feed commercial gerbil seeds or hamster pellets. Fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts make nice treats, but first check with your vet to determine which are best (or harmful) for your pet. Make sure to provide wood or cardboard for gnawing, to keep teeth healthy.

Kids: Gerbils are fun pets and almost always ready to play with older children who know to handle them with gentleness and care. On the other hand, hamsters are nocturnal, and are not always ready to play when kids are. If the pet lives in the child’s room, they can be a bit noisy during the night when they are running on their exercise wheel or playing with toys. Frequent hand washing is recommended, and due to the slight risk of salmonella, the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions against gerbils as pets for children less than 5 years of age.

Life expectancy: Gerbils live 3-4 years; hamsters, depending on size, live 1-3 years.

Bird

Budget: Initial investment: $270; annual upkeep: $200.

Housing: Provide your bird the largest cage available, preferably made of nontoxic material. Install perches at different levels, with one shielding the bird’s food and water. Line the cage with paper (preferably without ink). Keep the cage in a spot where people often congregate, so your bird may enjoy regular company. Some birds like a dish of water for bathing.

Cleanup: Change the paper lining every day, and clean the cage once a week.

Diet: Feed your bird commercial pellets, formulated for his or her species. Add treats of fresh veggies and fruits.

Kids: Budgies can be great pets for children. Some other species of birds, such as Canaries and Finches, aren’t as interactive, though they make lovely pets.

Life expectancy: Most birds normally live between 10-20 years, although there are some species like Macaws and Cockatoos who live well beyond 40. In general: The larger the bird, the longer their life expectancy.

Rabbit

Budget: Initial investment: $200; annual upkeep: $700.

Housing: Rabbits need a hutch or a cage to sleep in that’s four times larger than they are. If there’s a wire bottom, make sure it’s padded. Outside of the cage, rabbits enjoy mingling with humans and having supervised time to explore and play.

Cleanup: Keep a litterbox in one corner of the cage; instead of cat litter, use newspaper or hay. Clean litter daily. Clean the cage once a week.

Diet: Rabbits need hay or grass for digestion; they also eat commercial rabbit pellets and leafy greens. Rabbit chew toys, which are crucial for keeping their teeth healthy, include household items such as cardboard paper towel holders or phone books.

Kids: An adult should be the primary caregiver for a rabbit, but under supervision, kids and rabbits can have great fun together! But beware: If your child begs you to bring home a rabbit around Easter time, think long and hard before you make that commitment. Shelters across the country consistently report large increases in rabbit relinquishment in the weeks and months following Easter. In animal welfare circles, this phenomenon is referred to as “The Easter Dump.”

Life expectancy: Rabbits live 8-12 years.

Cat

Budget: Initial investment: $150-$200; annual upkeep: $500-$1200.

Additional Costs to Consider:

Routine vet care:$50-$300 annually

Spay/Neuter: $40-$150

Housing: Your home suits them just fine, provided there is an easily accessible litter box. Some cats appreciate having a crate or bed in a quiet corner.

Diet: Kittens eat three or four times a day. Adult cats eat one to three times a day. Have a vet recommend a food and a feeding routine. All cats should be encouraged to drink as much water as possible.

Kids: Cat personalities vary, but many cats enjoy socializing with children. Make sure play is always supervised.

Life expectancy: Cats can live up to 20 years or longer, especially if they stay indoors.

Housing: Puppies will need to be contained when no one is around. If an adult dog doesn’t have a crate, provide a soft bed in a warm, quiet spot. All dogs and puppies need plenty of exercise every day.

Cleanup: Dogs need to be walked multiple times per day. During bathroom breaks in public spaces, all poop needs to be picked up by their humans. Most dogs shed, so you’ll need a decent vacuum. On the plus side: no more crumbs under the table.

Diet: Puppies will eat several times a day; an adult dog usually eats once or twice a day. Foods vary widely from store-bought to homemade. Visit your vet soon after welcoming home your new dog to discuss food portion sizes and nutritional needs.

Kids: Most dogs love to play with children, though play should be supervised. Even the gentlest pup can snap if a child is too rough or abrupt. A young child should never be left alone with a dog.

Life expectancy: Lifespan varies by breed. In general, the larger the dog, the shorter their natural life span. A Chihuahua can easily live for 15 years or more; a Great Dane may not live much beyond 8 years.

Ferret

Budget: Initial investment: $200-$300; annual upkeep: $450.

Housing: Provide a large cage for your ferret, with a litter pan in the corner. Make sure he or she also has plenty of supervised playtimes outside of the cage. Because ferrets are active and curious, they require a committed human to supervise them when they’re out of the cage.

Cleanup: Clean litter pan daily and thoroughly; clean the cage once a week. Regular baths can help reduce your ferret’s naturally strong odor. Spay/neuter will help decrease their scent, too.